The bill amends various sections of the Government Code to enhance the compensation and benefits for peace officers commissioned by the state fire marshal. Specifically, it allows the state fire marshal to commission peace officers to act as fire and arson investigators and perform other law enforcement duties. The bill mandates that these commissioned officers be compensated according to Schedule C of the position classification salary schedule as prescribed by the General Appropriations Act. Additionally, it includes the state fire marshal in the definition of "state employee" and expands the list of entities that can commission peace officers to include the state fire marshal.

Furthermore, the bill requires the classification officer in the office of the state auditor to classify the position of commissioned peace officer employed as an investigator by the Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal's Office as a Schedule C position, effective from the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2025. The changes made by this bill will only apply to injuries occurring on or after its effective date, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 417.006, Government Code 659.301, Government Code 661.918 (Government Code 659, Government Code 417, Government Code 661)